“I’m not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that.”
This quote comes from director, producer, and filmmaker Ava DuVernay. It reminds us that not all doors are meant for everyone to walk through. We’re not all meant to follow the same path because we all have different personalities, goals, strengths, and priorities. However we assume there’s a set path for everyone to follow. Therefore we find ourselves knocking on doors that may not be meant for us instead of creating our own. So remember, repeated rejections or seeking and remaining in situations that make us miserable could be signs we need to create our own door.
PositLive Music: “Try”
“Try” Written by: Colbie Caillat, Babyface, and Jason Reeves Released: June 9, 2014 This song was inspired by the pressures singer-songwriter, Colbie Caillat, faced in the music industry to be someone else (Source). It’s about not stripping away your identity to be someone you’re not in order to please others. In Caillat’s words, “[‘Try’] is about how us women feel like we need to change ourselves in so many different ways for people to accept us and like us” (Source). However, the core message is something anyone can relate to. We all sometimes feel like we need to change ourselves in different ways for people to like and accept us. And the…
“Understand: you are one of a kind. Your character traits are a kind of chemical mix that will never be repeated in history. There are ideas unique to you, a specific rhythm and perspective that are your strengths, not your weaknesses. You must not be afraid of your uniqueness.”
This quote, by the author Robert Greene, reminds us that we’re all unique, including our thoughts, ideas, and character traits. Moreover, our uniqueness doesn’t just apply to the current time but spans throughout history. Often we try to hide the things that make us stand out because society trains us to conform–to fit in. But “You must not be afraid of your uniqueness.” As stated in this quote, that is your strength. Taking things a step further, our uniqueness is a superpower we all possess. And we all have a choice to either use this superpower or cover it up.
“You have to be odd to be number one.”
This quote is by Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. The quote goes beyond the fact that one is an odd number. It uses this simple fact to illustrate that being different, unique–or perhaps odd–is sometimes what it takes to be number one. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re not worried people might find you odd. That worry alone has a way of limiting your possibilities and potential. Without it, you’ll realize a much greater freedom to take risks and perform at your best.
“Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.”
This quote, by Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss), is about being yourself and not being too preoccupied with what others think. Ultimately, the people who don’t mind your quirks and flaws–those who accept and appreciate you for who you are–are the ones who do matter. Meanwhile, there are those who mind every little thing–who are the most judgmental–unable to appreciate you for who you are no matter what you do. There is no point in allowing them to take any more space in your mind than they deserve.
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“The secret of happiness, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
“If you can’t do anything about it then let it go. Don’t be a prisoner to things you can’t change.”
“Loneliness is and always has been the central and inevitable experience of every man.”
If you’re experiencing less social interaction than you’re use to right now, the feeling of loneliness will inevitably start to creep in. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s completely natural. In fact, it’s proof that you’re a completely normal human being with normal human emotions–including the emotion that occurs any time our interactions and connection with each other is limited. This quote, by Thomas Wolfe, is somewhat comforting with regard to loneliness. Although it doesn’t provide any guidance, it does reveal some fundamental truths about being lonely. First, it’s natural. Second, it’s inevitable to happen at some point in our lives. And third, we are not alone in feeling…
Relationships: A Fundamental Part of Our Human Condition
A healthy mind, body, and soul are all critical to living life positively. But I’m afraid we’re missing another key component: Relationships. There are countless studies on how relationships can help us live longer, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, help us deal with stress, and more. Relationships are what connects us as people. So, they are a fundamental part of our human condition. Therefore, having healthy relationships is fundamental to a healthy mind, body, and soul. That being said, I’m excited to introduce Relationships as a new section to our menu. Whether it’s your relationship with family, friends, or a romantic partner, relationships can either break us down or…
How to Be Your Authentic Self
“Just be yourself.” Most of us have heard this, usually in situations where we’re afraid we might not be accepted. For instance, at a job interview, an audition, or the first day of something–anything where we might encounter people we don’t know. But here’s the irony in the saying “just be yourself”: It’s typically said to us when we’re worried we won’t be accepted by others. However, being ourselves starts with us accepting ourself. That is actually the first and most important step. Once we’re able to pass that threshold, being our true authentic self should come much more easily; and it’s such a liberating feeling. 6 Tips for Being…
Living Life Poetically: “You Don’t Know Me”
We all find ourselves misunderstood or misjudged by others at some point in our lives. “You Don’t Know Me” is about that. The inspiration for this poem was a video I ran into on the internet. This video contains very negative generalizations about people of a certain race and gender. The worst part about the video was the comments supporting it and adding additional insults. I couldn’t help but think, ‘there are people out there who actually believe this. Not just kind of, but emphatically.’ Rather than seeing others as complex unique individuals, they generalize; meanwhile dismissing all evidence contrary to their beliefs. “You Don’t Know Me” is meant to…
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“I’m not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that.”
“If you can’t do anything about it then let it go. Don’t be a prisoner to things you can’t change.”
“You can’t fall if you don’t climb. But there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground.”
Home Deprivation: Why We Should All Ask Ourselves ‘What Is Home?’
Close your eyes and picture “home.” Perhaps, a clear image of a physical structure comes to mind. But can there be more to a home than the physical structure? When we broaden our idea of what home is, it becomes apparent that the word is actually hard to define. It has a meaning that is unique to each of us. A Closer Look at How YOU Define Home For some of us, home is very much rooted in the physical structure. Sometimes the physical structure we picture in our heads as “home” and our actual place of residence are the same. However, this is not always the case; particularly for…
